Hello all!
Unfortunately we have been having internet issues recently and so it has been tricky to upload pics on to our blog. So I decided to drop you all a round robin update of what we are up to!
We are currently in Bangladesh (in the capital Dhaka) having spent a week in Nepal (2 weeks ago) and a week in Cox's Bazar in the southern part of Bangladesh (renowned for its beautiful white beaches which continues along the coast for around 120 miles!) Both were amazing although totally different places. Nepal is full of tourists, mainly of the hard-core traveller (mountaineering) variety and Cox's Bazar is full of rich Bangladeshi middle class tourists (mostly fat and quite annoying. They often swore loudly in broken English if they were near Hugh). While we were there we spent a night at an Eco-village/art village (Hinckers would have loved it!) which had no electricity or running water! We were fed fresh fish cooked in banana leaves by a village lady (the resident cook) and then taken by paddle boat across the river to a secret part of the beach... totally unspoilt and private. We swam (me in trousers and a T shirt just incase of gapers) and walked along the white sand! The room was basically a fancy hut (made of mud) decorated with avant-garde art work (resident artiste) with very tasteful touches added in keeping with the sensitivities of the Western traveller. It was basic, but suitably comfortable at the same time. The window was clear glass, and so big that when you went to bed, you could see the moon through the palm trees while you were in bed!
I know you all hate us now, so I'll tell you about the not-so-nice stuff!
We are undoubtedly having a brilliant time... but it's so hard to explain the mixture of emotions this place makes you have in one day. We've just celebrated Eid, the one with the sacrificing of millions of goats and cows. You would NOT like to be here or anywhere in the Islamic world right now... there were animal skins, carcasses and blood everywhere yesterday. I have to say the clean-up operation was swift and the streets have actually had a much-needed wash down in the process. And NOTHING goes to waste. Every single piece of meat (or part of the animal) is used in some way and distributed to the needy, so... all in all it was an eye-opener, especially for one who eats and relishes meat! Hugh actually stood and watched some of the Qurbani (the bit where the Imam slits the throat of the animal) but I could not stay there and went inside. I did try to look at some of the goings-on from the roof (which is flat and you can see local streets). As a Muslim, one is supposed to see the suffering of the animals being slaughtered... it is after all a sacrifice and I think it would be totally hypocritical to eat the meat and enjoy it (anytime, not just now) and not see what happens to the animals.
Sorry :( to those of you who found this part cruel and distasteful :( I'm finished now!)
We are desperately trying to plan the next bit of our trip which is proving difficult... It costs a fortune to get from Dhaka to Colombo as there are no direct flights (we have to go to Kolkata then Chennai, then Colombo) and is proving tricky to organise. Anyway, hopefully we will work it out soon and then the bit about where we go from Colombo. We would really like to fly to Singapore then travel up through Malaysia, (meet Chris Teague!) and then overland through Thailand up to Bangkok to meet Hugh's Mum and Brother Charlie in mid January. Will let you know what happens!
We have already spent time with my Mum and brother Monty (the one who did the wicked father of the bride speech at The Barbican) and now we are getting ready to receive my 2nd brothe Kaiser (of walking me down the aisle at The Barbican fame) with his wife Ammy and 2 sprogs Yacoub and Yasmin. God only knows what the kids will make of the beggars, pollution, traffic, poverty etc etc etc. Again will update when I know what they thought! I love kids because they are so honest :)
Well, got to go now. I know there are big things happening for lots of you at the moment and I'm sorry I couldn't email you all individaully this time but I will as soon as I can. Wishing you all lots of Happy Christmas wishes and love for the end of term and for the festive season!
In the words of Jerry Springer, Take care of yourselves and each other.
Love from your intrepid explorers,
Zeenat and Hugh xxx
AKA Moth and Poth
